Differential mechanism



Nov. 25, 1924- 1,516,831

F. W. SEECK DIFFERENT I AL MECHANI SM Filed Feb. l. 1923 Patented Nov. 25, 1924.

UNITED STATES FERDINAND W. SEECK, 0F LEBANON, OREGON.

DIFFERENTIAL MECHANISM.

Application filed February l, 1923.

To all whom t may conce/m.'

Be it known that I, F nnDINAND WV. Sii-Eon, a citizenvof the United States, and a resident of Lebanon, county of Linn, and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Differential Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mechanism for driving the wheels of a self driven vehicle.

One of the main objects of my invention is to provide a simple gearless power transmitting vmechanism adapted to drive the sections of the divided axle simultaneously at the same rate while at the same time permitting each of the axle sections to have a relatively different rate of rotation as required when driving over the curves of a road.

Another object of my invention isto 'improve the gearless differential mechanism shown and described in Patents No. 1,355,- 176, dated Oct. 12, 1920, and 1,388,669, dated Aug. 16, 1921, both -patents being granted to myself.

The mechanism shown in this application is designed vso that it can be built more compactly and can withstand greater forces than the devices previously patented.

Some of the specific improvements shown in this application over the devices shown in the aforementioned patents are:

The lines of action of the eccentric elements in the differential structure shown in this application are superimposed so that this eccentric action will not tend to vproduce torque within the structure itself.

In the previous patents the eccentric members were abutted and thus when power was transmitted from one member to the other it would result also in torque about an axis normal to the stub shafts and would thus tend to twist the ends of the shafts out of their bearings.

In the present application the eccentric elements are mounted one upon the other and the centers of their eccentric actions are thus superimposed and thus the eccentric action results in a radial force outward from the axis of rotation of the stub shafts.

A second improvement is that the parts are so designed that play between the eccentric parts and between the eccentrics and the casing can be easily taken up. This is accomplished by making theV companion bearing faces tapered so that any wear of these bearing faces can be taken up by fit- Serial No. 616,319.

ting the tapered parts further over cach other.

A third improvement is that wearing collars are provided inside the driven casing so that the rotation of the eccentric parts within this casing will not wear the casingunduly but as the parts bear against this wearing collar the wear will be taken up by the same and thus this worn part can be cheaply and easily replaced.

A fourth improvement is that the inner eccentric member extends 'from side to side within the casing substantially its entire width and the connection for the outer eccentric also extends from side to side and overlies the inner eccentric thereby to provide substantially a continuous hearing thru the casing for the axle sections. The ends of the axle sections are thus prevented from gyrating about their normal axis of rotation because ofthis long substantially continuous bearing thru the case.

The construction and operation of the parts of my inventionare illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a section of my device taken on a line thru the centers of the axle sections;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the casing enclosing my. device with the separate parts spaced slightly from each other and showing how they fit in relation to. each other;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inner eccentric member of my invention which is adapted to be mounted on one of the ends of the divided shaft;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the disk mounted on the other end of the divided axle section;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the plate that seats in the member shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the double eccentric which is mounted over the inner eccentric shown in Fig. t;

Fig. S is a perspective view of the filler ring; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the wearing plates.

My differential mechanism is enclosed in a casingy made up of a central piece a and end pieces Z) and c. The end piece c is made with a flange c which has holes (Z by which the usual main ring or driving gear can be attached. The separate sections are adapted to overlie each other slightly so as to obtain greater rigidity. The individual sections are held together by bolts a.

As is usual in automobile construction, the rear axle e to which the differential mechanism is connected is divided in approximately the center. One of the sections c is connected to the disk f by means of the key g and the other axle section c2 is connected to the inner crank element it by means of the key i. This disk has two annular Hanges, the inner flange `tits closely about the axle section c and the outer flange is located at the periphery of the disk The inner crank element /t has a concentric hub 7L" mounted thereon which extends out from the eccentric portion h2 and forms a bearing on which the end piece b rotates and the disk also has a concentric hub 7" which extends out therefrom on which the end piece c is mounted and on which the end piece can have independent rotation. The element h extends beyond the abutment between the axle sections and extension 7L over-lies a piece f2 and provides a central bearing for the axle sections and prevents them from getting their axis of rotation out of alinement with each other. A circular key seated in the groove in the divided axle section e extends beyond the circumference of the shaft and provides `a shoulder which prevents the shaft from extending beyond a certain point in the inner crank element.

The segmental key Z seated in the slot la of the axle section e2 consists of an insertable piece in the shaft or a piece extending` diametrically thru the shaft and long enough so as to form projections on both sides of the shaft. Grooves mare provided -in the inner crank element 7L for these keys Z to seat in and thus when the shaft is inserted in thel differential thru the right hand side of the dilferentiah'as shown in l? 1, the shaft is prevented from passing further than the slot because the key Z on one or both sides will strike the end m of the slot m and will be held. The outer crank elementn is mounted on the outer bearing surface of the inner crank element it and this double outer crank element has eccentric portions 'n' and n2. The two throws of this eccentric. are arranged 1.800 apart. One of the principal objects of my invention is attained in arranging these eccentric portions in this manner, namely, by mounting a double eccentric on the periphery of a single eccentric and placed so that their eccentric actions which are radial from their axis of rotation, will be directly in line in their force against the driven case.

The eccentric actions thus do not tend to twist the casing about an axisnormal to the axle sections, as would be the case if the eccentrics abntted. Connection is made between the disk and this double eccentric thru a ring 0 which has vertical grooves o as shown :in Fig. G, in which slide the projections 29 on one face of this outer crank element n, and thus the ring 0 is sli'dably connected to the outer crank element but is connected so that the rotation of one will cause the rotation of the other.

On the opposite side of the ring 0 is a single groove 02 which extends perpendicular to the grooves o and is arranged so as to accommodate the divided rib Q. on the disk y. The hole 03 in the ring o being elongated, and the member 0 being smaller in diameter than the disk permits the ring 0 to move in the disk f within certain limits. The disk o is prevented from rotating independently of the disk because the divided rib Q rides in the slot 02 and thus the member 0 connects the disk with the outer crank element n. The inner surface of the casing c is substantially concentric except that it has two Yvertical straight faces fr and two horizontal straight faces s as shown in Fig. 2. Transmission members t" mounted on one of the eccentrics 0f the outer crank element and their straight sides t slide between the straight faces r and a similarI transmission element u mounted on the other eccentric of the outer crank element has straight faces zo which slide between the horizontal straight faces s. These straight faces prevent the filler piece from rotating in relation to these faces and thus the action of the .eccentrics merely causes the iiller pieces to slide up and down on these stra-ight sections. A wearing piece o is provided between the ends of the axle sections c and c2 so as to permit slight adjustment and also to provide a wearing piece between theaxle sections which can be easily renewed.

rllhe end piece 0f the casing c and the other end piece b of the casingare recessed at a' and fw respectively with aconcentric interior recess in which are mounted wearing collars a' and a2', a? being in the recess w in the end piece c and ac being in the recess to in the piece b. The wearing piece .thas a normal iange in approximately its middle which extends further into the end piece c so as to provide more bearing between the ring and the end piece c. The piece has a similar flange z/ which extends into the cap for a. similar purpose. Vllhesevwearling collars take'up the side play between the different parts and aren adjusted by means of shims .e and e', shim a fitting behind thc wearing piece ai and shim e litting behind the wearing piece m,

The operation of my differential is as follows: Then the driven casing is rotated thru the ring fastened to the flange c', as is common in all differentials, the casing tends to rotate the pieces t and u because they are held against rotation with the casing, by being slidably mounted between the straight faces r and s respectively. These pieces being` mounted on the two eccentric portions of the outer crank element, which are spaced 1800 apart, tend to rotate the eccentric portions equally at the same ate in the same direction. It can thus be seen that if the grip of the wheels on the road is equal the wheels will be driven at a uniform rate in the same direction .because the double eccentric portion will lock with the inner eccentric and cause them both to rotate as a single unit. If one wheel, however, has not the samefrictional grip with the road it will cause its axle section torrotate at a relatively faster rate of speed than.

the other section. The faster moving shaft will thus propel the eccentric member which is fastened toit, and tend to cause the other eccentric to move inthe opposite direction. The opposite wheel having a greater grip of the road will tend to rotate relatively slower. The parts are so arranged that the radius of the wheel will provide a sufficiently long lever to just overcomethe force of the friction between the outer and inner eccentrics, and will thus cause the eccentrics to rotate inside of the differential in opposite directions when power is driven from the wheels to the eccentric. The frictional resistance between the parts is too great, however, to be overcome .when driving the wheels thru power delivered from the power shaft, because of the shorter .lever of the eccentric elements. Thus when one wheel tends to rotate slower than the other as when the machine is turning a corner, the eccentric portion which is keyed to that wheel will tend to rotate in the same direction at the same rate as the wheel and the other wheel tending to lag behind will hold the eccentric in the differential and the eccentric will pass one over the other the eccentric portions rotating oppositely so as to accommodate the passage one within the other. On the other hand, if one wheel has less of a frictional grip on the road as when driving in snow or in wet weather, the power can not be delivered from the propelling shaft to the wheel having theleast grip thus causing it to spin, because substantially all of the power will be delivered to the wheel which has the greater frictional grip. The parts are so arranged that this sliding between the crank elements can not take place except when the wheel rotates the parts because the wheel `has a lever arm the radius of the wheel while the eccentric portionhas a lever arm of merely its degfree of eccentricity. This relation, of course, can be varied merely by increasing or decreasing the degrees of eccentricity or the sizes of the wheels.

I claim:

l. In a differential mechanism of the character described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of the case, inner and outer crank elements mounted one upon the other, the inner crank element being rigidly mounted on one of the axlesections, the outer crank element being operatively connected to the other axle section, the connection being adapted to permit relative lineal movement of the connected parts on lines normal to the axis of rotation of the axle sections, the faces of said crank elements bearing on each other being tapered, means for adjusting the relationship of the tapered companion bearing faces of the crank elements to each other, thereby to take up wear, annular transmission members reciprocable in said driven case on lines normal to each other and to said axisof rotation, said outer crank element being provided with two oppositely located eccentric portions and said transmission members being' seated on said eccentric portions respectively. i

2. In a differential mechanism of the character described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of the case, inner and outer crank elements mounted one upon the other, the inner crank element being rigidly mounted on one of the axle sections, the outer crank element being operatively connected to the other axle section, the connection being adapted to permit relative lineal movement of the con nected parts on lines normal to the axis of rotation of the axle sections, the faces yof said crank elements bearing on each other being tapered, means for adjusting the relationship of the tapered companion bearing faces of the crank elements to each other, thereby to take up wear.

In a differential mechanism of the character described, a driven. case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of the case, inner' and outer crank elements mounted one upon the other, the inner crank element being rigidly mounted on one of the axle sections, the outer crank element being operatively connected to the other axle section, annular transmission members reciprocable in said driven case on lines normal to each other and to said axis of rotation, said outer crank element being provided with twooppositely located eccentric portions and said transmission members being seated on said eccentric portions respec tively, one crank element in its connection with said axle sections and with the other crank element being adapted to provide a continuons bearing for said axle sections thru the case, thereby holding the axle sections in alinement with each other.-

4. In a differential mechanism of the character described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of the case,

inner and oi'lter crank elements mounted one upon the other, the inner crank element being rigidly mounted on one of the axle sections, the outer crank element being operatively connected to the otherl axle section, the connection being adapted to permit relative lineal movement of the connected parts on lines normal to the axis of rotation of the axle sections,`annular transmission members reciprocable in said driven case on lines normal to each other and to said axis of rotation, said outer crank element being pro-V vided with two oppositely located eccentric portions and said transmission members being seated on said eccentric portions respectively, the inner ends of the crank sections terminating at the middle of thedriven case, said inner crank element, rigid on one ot ythe axle sections, being` adapted to provide a socket in which the inner end of the other axle section bears, the inner crank element extending substantially across the space between the sides of the case and being adapted to provide a socket in which the inner end ol? the other axle section bears. .Y

In a differential mechanism of the chai.'- acter described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of the case, inner and outer crank element-s mounted one upon theother, the inner crank element being rigidly mounted on one of the axle sections, the outer-.crank element being operatively connected'to the other axle section, the connection being adapted to permit relative lineal movement of the connected parts on lines normal to the axis off rotation of the axle sections, said inner crank element, rigid on one of the axle sections, being adapted to provide a socket in which the inner end of the other axle section bears.

G. In a differential mechanism of the char acter described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of the case.l inner and outer crank elements mounted one upon the other, the inner crank element beingjr rigidly mounted on one of the axle sections, the outer crank element being operatively connected to the other axle section, the connection being,l adapted to permit relative lineal movement. of' the connected parts on lines normal to the axis of rotation ol the axle sections, annular transmission members reciprocable in said driven case on lines normal to each other and to said axis of rotation, said outer crank element being provided with two eccentric portions and said transmission members being seated on said eccentric portions respectively.

7. In a differential mechanism ofl the character described, al driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of the case, crank elements operatively connected with the axle sections respectively, one of the crank elements, rigid on one of the axle sections, being adapted to provide a. socket in which the inner end of the other axle section bears, one crank element in its connection with said axle sect-ions and with the other crank element being adapted to provide a continuous bearing' for .said axle sections thru the case, thereby holding;` the axle sections in aline ment with each other.

S. In a differential mechanism of the character described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of the case, crank elements operatively connected with the axle sections respectively, the crank ele ments in their connection with said axle sections and each other being` adapted to provide a continuous bearingT for said axle sections thru the case. thereby holdingv the axle lsections in alinement with each other.

9. In a differential mechanism of the character described, a driven case, axle sections liournaled in the opposite sides of the case, crank elements operatively connected with the axle sections respectively, the faces of said crank elements bearing,- on each other being` tapered, means for adjusting' the relationship of the tapered companion bearing' faces of the c-ank elements to each other, thereby to take up wear.

10. In a differential mechanism of? the character described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides 'ofi the case, crank elements oljieratively connected with the axle sections respectively, the i.n ner ends of the axle sections terminating at the middle of the driven case, one crank element in its connec'tionwith said axle sections and with the other crank element being adapted to provide a continuous bearing` for said axle sections thru the case, thereby holding' the axle sections in alinement with each other.

1l. In a differential mechanism of' the character described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of the case, inner and outer crank elements, the outer element being rotatably mounted up'on the inner element in radial alinement there* with, the inner crank element beingrigidly mounted on one of the axle sections, the outer crank element being operatively connected to the other axle section, the connection being adapted to permit relative lineal movement of the connected parts on lines normal to the axis of rotation of the axle sections.

12. In a differential mechanism of the character described, a driven case. axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of the case, inner and outer crank elements, the outer element being)` rotatably mounted upon the inner element in radial alinement therewith, the inner crank element being' rigidly mounted on one of' the axle sections, the outer crank element being,r operatively connected to the other axle section.

13. In a differential mechanism of the character described, a driven case made in mounted upon the inner element in radial alinement therewith, and connections between said axle sec-tions and said crank elements respectively consisting` in part of annular transmission members reeiprocable in said driven case on lines normal to each other and to said axis.

14. In a differential' mechanism of the character described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of said case, inner and outer' crank elements, the outer element being rotatably mounted upon the inner element in radial alinement therewith, connections between said axle sections and said crank elements respectively consisting in part of annular transmission members reciprocable in said driven case on lines normal to each lother and to said axis.

15. In a differential mechanism of the character described, a drivenA case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of said case, inner and outer crank elements mounted one upon the other, said inner crank element rigidly mounted on one of said axle sections, annular transmission lmembers reciprocable in said driven case on lines normal to each other and to said axis, the companion bearing faces of said case, eccentric portions and transmission members being` tapered, and means for adjusting the relationship of the tapered companion bearing` faces, thereby to take up wear.

16. In a differential mechanism of the character' described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of said case, inner and outer crank elements mounted one upon the other, said inner crank element rigidly mounted on one of said axle sections, annular transmission members reciprocable in said driven case on lines normal to each other and to said axis, the companion bearing faces of said case, eccentric portions and transmission members being' tapered, wearing collars recessed in said driven case, and' means for moving said wearing collars inwardly and outwardly from said recess thereby to adjust the relationship of the tapered companion bearing faces to each other thus to take up wear.

17. ln a differential mechanism of the character described, a driven case, axle seetions journaled in the opposite sides of said case, inner and outer crank elements mounted one upon the other, said inner crank element rigidly mounted on one of said axle sections, annular transmission members reciprocable in said driven caseou lines normal to each other and to said axis, the companion bearing faces of said case, eccentric portions and transmission members being;v

tapered, wearing` collars recessed in said driven case, and removable shims for moving said wearing,l collars inwardly and outwardly from said recess thereby to adjust the relationship of the tapered companion bearing faces to each other thus to take up wear.

18. In a differential mechanism of the character described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of said case, inner and outer crank elements mounted 'one upon the other, said inner crank element rigidly mounted on one of' said axle sections, a disk carried to the other axle section, said disk having two lateral annular flanges, one of which fits closely about said axle section, the other located at the periphery of said disk, said inner crankelement extending substantially the entire distance between the sides of the driven case and overlying the inner annular flange of said disk thereby supporting the inner end of the inner crank element.

19. In a differential mechanism of the character described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of said case, inner and outer crank elements mounted one upon the other, said inner crank element rigidly mounted on one of said axle sections, a disk carried to the other axle section, said disk having two lateral annular flanges, one of. which fits closely about said axle section, the other located at the periphery of said disk, a `flat connecting ring adapted to lie within said peripheral flange of said disk` the hole in said ring being elongated and `fitting over the inner annular flange of said disk, said ring` adapted to have relative lineal movement within the flange of said disk, a tongueand-groove connection between said disk and said ring,r adapted to prevent their relative rotary movement, a tongueand-groove connection between said ring' and said outer crank element, adapted to prevent relative movement but to permit relative lineal movement, annular transmis sion members reciprocable in said driven case on lines normal to each other and to said axis, said outer crank element being provided with two oppositely located eccentric portions and said transmission members being seated on said portions respectively.

20.1n a differential mechanism of the character described. a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of said case, inner and outer crank elements mounted one upon the other, said inner crank element rigidly mounted on one of said axle sections, a disk carried to the other axle section, said disk havingtwo lateral annular flanges, one of which fits closel)7 about said axle section, the other located at the peril'ihery of said disk, a flat connecting ring,r adapted to lie within said peripheral flange of said disk, the hole in said ring being elongated and fitting over the inner' annular flange of said disk, said ring adapted to have relative lineal movement within the vflange of said disk, 4a sliding connection between said disk and said ring adapted to prevent their relative rotary. movement, a sliding connection between said ring and said outer crank element adapted to prevent relative movement but to permit relative lineal movement'v` annular transmission members reciprocable in said driven case on lines normal to each other and to said axis, said outer crank element being provided with two oppositely located eccentric portions and said i transmission members being seated on said portions respectively.

Y 21. In a differential mechanism of the character described, a driven case, axle sections journaled in the opposite sides of said case, inner and outer crank elements mountL ed one upon therot-her, said inner crank ele ment rigidly mounted on one oi said axle sections, a disk carried to the other axle section, said disk having two lateral annular adapted to lie within said peripheralvilange.y

of said disk, the hole in said ring being elongated and litting overthe inner annular flangeof said disk, said ring adapted to have relative linealmovement within the. flange otsaiddisk, a sliding connection between said disk and Said ringadapted-to'prevent their .relative` rotary movemente a Sliding connection between said ring ands'aid outer crank element normal to the lirst mentioned connection between the disk and said ring; adapted to prevent relative movement. but to permit relative lineal movement,` vannular transmissiony members rcciprocable in said driven case on lines normal to each other and to said axis, saidouter crankelementlmingt provided with two oppositely located eccentric portions and said transf FERDINAND V. SEECK 

